If research universities marshal their collective
will to reform science education, the
impact could be far-reaching. We will send
nonscience majors into society knowing how
to ask and answer scientific questions and be
capable of confronting issues that require analytical
and scientific thinking. Our introductory
courses will encourage more students to
become scientists. Our science majors will
engage in the process of science throughout
their college years and will retain and apply
the facts and concepts needed to be practicing
scientists. Our faculty will be experimentalists
in their teaching, bringing the rigor of the
research lab to their classrooms and developing
as teachers throughout their careers.
Classrooms will be redesigned to encourage
dialogue among students, and they will be
filled with collaborating students and teachers.
Students will see the allure of science and
feel the thrill of discovery, and a greater diversity
of intellects will be attracted to careers
in science. The benefits will be an invigorated
research enterprise fueled by a scientifically
literate society.